Author J K Rowling may have delivered her final novel set at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but people are still mad for Harry Potter, as seen by the huge response to several wizardry themed dinners. Mount Keira Scout Camp turns 78 this year with repairs and maintenance becoming a costly affair. Camp warden Leanne Senn was organising a Potter themed event for her Albion Park Joey’s group and thought she’d have a crack at hosting a bigger event as a fundraiser. “I thought if I’m going to the trouble of decorating [the camp hall] I might as well have an event as a fundraiser and it’s gone a little bit crazy,” she said. “We’ve opened it up to kids too and apparently that’s one of the reasons it’s gone crazy.” Read More: Children go bear hunting in Wollongong with puppets Read More: Wollongong gets meat pie burgers and lamington shakes this Australia Day A simple Facebook event was created to gauge the level of interest people had for a family feast at the picturesque Mount Keira. The results were hundreds of people putting their hand up for tickets to the event which includes cosplay, trivia and prizes. Mrs Senn said there was interest from areas outside of the Illawarra such as Lithgow while one woman is reportedly wanting to drive eight hours from the state’s north to join in the fun. Four dates are so far locked in from Monday May 28 until Thursday May 30 with more dates in June available if the demand is there. “I’m looking at a few spit roast places to come up and cook and make it really easy on myself, otherwise I’m going to hate Harry Potter and I never want that,” Mrs Senn laughed. “I knew it’d be a good fundraiser but I didn’t know just how popular it would be.” Read More: Wollongong’s best coffee – as voted by you She said there will be music but wasn’t keen on a live band because it may take away from the atmosphere. “I want people to laugh and communicate and chat,” Mrs Senn said. The camp’s historic lodge will be transformed into the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle with costumes encouraged. Tickets include a three course meal, entertainment and trivia – open to adults ($50) and children ($25 for ages four to 14, under four is free). Profits will go towards the upkeep of the camp which is largely run by volunteers from Scouts and the local Men’s Shed and without any government funding. “The money will go back to the camp so that the region can then spend more money on its use,” Mrs Senn said. The warden said she also has ideas brewing for a Mad Hatters Tea Party and a Labyrinth Ball as future fundraisers. Tickets are available via www.trybooking.com – a link will be posted on the Scout Camp Facebook page late on Thursday January 25 – CLICK HERE.

Author J K Rowling may have delivered her final novel set at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but people are still mad for Harry Potter, as seen by the huge response to several wizardry themed dinners.

Mount Keira Scout Camp turns 78 this year with repairs and maintenance becoming a costly affair. Camp warden Leanne Senn was organising a Potter themed event for her Albion Park Joey’s group and thought she’d have a crack at hosting a bigger event as a fundraiser.

“I thought if I’m going to the trouble of decorating [the camp hall] I might as well have an event as a fundraiser and it’s gone a little bit crazy,” she said.

“We’ve opened it up to kids too and apparently that’s one of the reasons it’s gone crazy.”

A simple Facebook event was created to gauge the level of interest people had for a family feast at the picturesque Mount Keira. The results were hundreds of people putting their hand up for tickets to the event which includes cosplay, trivia and prizes.

Mrs Senn said there was interest from areas outside of the Illawarra such as Lithgow while one woman is reportedly wanting to drive eight hours from the state’s north to join in the fun.

Four dates are so far locked in from Monday May 28 until Thursday May 30 with more dates in June available if the demand is there.

“I’m looking at a few spit roast places to come up and cook and make it really easy on myself, otherwise I’m going to hate Harry Potter and I never want that,” Mrs Senn laughed.

“I knew it’d be a good fundraiser but I didn’t know just how popular it would be.”

Leanne Senn, Logan Senn and Odin Senn are preparing to turn the Mount Keira Scout Camp hall into Hogwarts for a series of themed family dinners. Picture: Robert Peet

She said there will be music but wasn’t keen on a live band because it may take away from the atmosphere.

“I want people to laugh and communicate and chat,” Mrs Senn said.

The camp’s historic lodge will be transformed into the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle with costumes encouraged. Tickets include a three course meal, entertainment and trivia – open to adults ($50) and children ($25 for ages four to 14, under four is free).

Profits will go towards the upkeep of the camp which is largely run by volunteers from Scouts and the local Men’s Shed and without any government funding.

“The money will go back to the camp so that the region can then spend more money on its use,” Mrs Senn said.

The warden said she also has ideas brewing for a Mad Hatters Tea Party and a Labyrinth Ball as future fundraisers.

Tickets are available via www.trybooking.com – a link will be posted on the Scout Camp Facebook page late on Thursday January 25 – CLICK HERE.